Received:
2022-03-10 | Accepted:
2022-05-21 | Published:
2022-06-30
Title
Development trends and challenges of students' academic mobility in higher education
Abstract
The article presents the evaluation of students’ international academic mobility in higher education in the context of the scientific literature, where the barriers to the development of academic mobility are singled out, the more effective management tools of academic mobility and their effectiveness are discussed. The aim of the research: after identifying the problematic areas of the implementation of international academic mobility in higher education, to anticipate the possibilities of its development. Analytical descriptive, quantitative and statistical research methods were applied. Using the quantitative research strategy, the experience of participation of Lithuanian higher education students (n = 349) in the Erasmus+ mobility programme was clarified, the reasons for non-participation in international academic mobility programmes were revealed and the factors determining higher student mobility indicators were singled out. The results of the study revealed the need to improve the system for the promotion and implementation of international academic mobility in higher education, as the results of the study showed that only a small number of research participants took part in the Erasmus+ programme. Despite the fact that participation in academic mobility programmes provides experience in communication and cooperation with representatives of other cultures, professional foreign language development, independence skills are developed, however, according to the research participants, fear, self-confidence due to insufficient professional knowledge and skills, lack of foreign language knowledge, intimidating selection procedures and interviews, and fears of possible difficulties in adapting when moving to another country, as well as reluctance to break up with family or close friends and insufficient financial support (scholarship), are among the reasons for not participating in Erasmus+ mobility. When assessing the possibilities of developing international academic mobility in higher education, the highest average scores show that higher scholarships and paid internships, as well as opportunities for groups of students to go to the same higher education institution or company in another country and places offered (educational institutions, internship places), the diversity of of places for academic exchanges and the high level of quality of professional training (education, studies and internships), according to the research participants, would encourage students to participate more actively in international academic mobility programmes. The results of the study will have practical implications for anticipating possible more effective tools for managing academic mobility in higher education.
Keywords
international academic mobility, Erasmus+ mobility programme, internships, higher education, students
JEL classifications
A20
, E02
URI
http://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/973
DOI
Pages
304-319
Funding
This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
References
Altbach, P., De Wit, H. (2018). Are we facing a fundamental challenge to higher education internationalization? International Higher Education, (93), 2-4. https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.0.93.10414
Search via ReFindit
Bista, K. (2018). Exploring the Field Understanding the International Student Experience In K. Bista, K. (ed.), Global perspectives on international student experiences in higher education: Tensions and issues (1-16). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315113456-1
Search via ReFindit
Bryla, P., Ciabiada, B. (2014). Obstacles to International Student Mobility: the Case of Poland. Trends. Journal of Sciences Research, 1(1), 12-16. https://doi.org/10.31586/PoliticalStudies.0101.02
Search via ReFindit
Castro, P., Woodin, J., Lundgren, U., Byram, M. (2016). Student mobility and internationalisation in higher education: perspectives from practitioners. Language and Intercultural Communication, 16(3), 418-436. https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2016.1168052
Search via ReFindit
Cibák, L., Kollár, V., Filip, S. (2021). Measuring and evaluating education quality of future public administration employees at private university in the Slovak Republic. Insights into the Regional Development, 3(2), 213-228. http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2021.3.2(4)
Search via ReFindit
Dias, G. P., Barbosa, B., Santos, C. A., Pinheiro, M. M., Simões, D., Filipe, S. (2021) Between promises and pitfalls: the impact of mobility on the internationalization of higher education. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 45(1), 79-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2020.1735321
Search via ReFindit
Do, T. T., Pham, D. N. (2016). Challenges of Student Mobility in Southeast Asia. International Higher Education, 84, 24-26. https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.2016.84.9118
Search via ReFindit
Fakunle, S. O., Ajani, B. K. (2021). Peculiarities of ICT adoption in Nigeria. Insights into Regional Development, 3(4), 51-61. http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2021.3.4(4)
Search via ReFindit
Hill, Ch., Sughnani, N. (2021). Student motivations for studying at international branch campuses: a study of transnational education engagement in Dubai. Quality in Higher Education, 27(2), 222-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2020.1867034
Search via ReFindit
Hou, Ch., Du, D. (2022). The changing patterns of international student mobility: a network perspective. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 48(1), 248-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2020.1797476
Search via ReFindit
Joyce, A., Timmis, S., Rajagopal, K., Verjans, S. (2007). Student Mobility in a Digital World. The Scottish Centre for research into On-Line Learning & Assessment (SCROLLA) School of Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, UK.
Search via ReFindit
Juknytė - Petreikienė, I., Pukelis, K. (2007). Internacionalizuotų studijų kokybės vertinimas: Socrates / Erasmus programos dalyvių patirtis (Assessing the quality of international studies: the experience of Socrates / Erasmus participants). Aukštojo mokslo kokybė, 4, 74-101.
Search via ReFindit
Khanal, J., Gaulee, U. (2019). Challenges of International Students from Pre-Departure to Post-Study: A Literature Review. Journal of International Students, 9(2), 560-581. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v9i2.673
Search via ReFindit
Kirloskar, P., Inamdar, N. (2021). Shifting international student mobility directions and factors influencing students' higher education destination choices. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies, 2(3), 160-178. https://doi.org/10.52547/johepal.2.3.160
Search via ReFindit
Knight, J. (2004). Internationalization remodeled: definition, approaaches, and rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, 8(1), 5-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315303260832
Search via ReFindit
Knight, J. (2012). Student Mobility and Internationalization: trends and tribulations. Research in Comparative and International Education, 7(1), 20-33. https://doi.org/10.2304/rcie.2012.7.1.20
Search via ReFindit
Lee, C. (2013). An investigation of factors determining the study abroad destination choice: A case study of Taiwan. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18(4), 362-381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315313497061
Search via ReFindit
Lincényi, M., Laczko, M. (2020). Influence of Brexit on Education towards Europeanism. Insights into Regional Development, 2(4), 814-824. http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2020.2.4(7)
Search via ReFindit
Lopez-Duarte, C., Maley, J. F., Vidal-Suarez, M.M. (2021). Main challenges to international student mobility in the European arena. Scientometrics, 126(7), 8957-8980. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-04155-y
Search via ReFindit
Mok, K. H., Xiong, W., Ke, G., Cheung, J. O. W. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international higher education and student mobility: Student perspectives from mainland China and Hong Kong. International Journal of Educational Research, 105(101718). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101718
Search via ReFindit
Pakalniškienė, V. (2012). Tyrimo ir įvertinimo priemonių patikimumo ir validumo nustatymas. Metodinė priemonė (Determining the reliability and validity of research and evaluation tools. Methodological tool). Vilnius: Vilniaus Universiteto leidykla.
Search via ReFindit
Papatsiba, V. (2005). Student Mobility In Europe: An Academic, Cultural and Mental Journey? Some Conceptual Reflections and Empirical Findings. International Perspectives on Higher Education Research, 3, 29-65. 03003-0 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3628(05)
Search via ReFindit
Sidhu, R., Cheng, Y. E., Collins, F., Ho, K. Ch., Yeoh, B. (2021). International student mobilities in a contagion: (Im)mobilising higher education? Geographical Research, 59, 313-323. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-5871.12471
Search via ReFindit
Souto-Otero, M., Huisman, J., Beerkens, M., de Wit, H., Vujic, S. (2013). Barriers to International Student Mobility: Evidence From the Erasmus Program. Educational Researcher, 42(2), 70-77. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X12466696
Search via ReFindit
Teicher, U. (2007). The Changing Role of Student Mobility. Higher Education Policy, 20(4), 457-475. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.hep.8300163
Search via ReFindit
Turnea, E.-S., Prodan, A., Boldureanu, G., Ciulu, R., Arustei, C.C., Boldureanu, D. (2020). The Importance of Organizational Rewards on Attracting and Retaining Students at Work. Transformations in Business & Economics, Vol. 19, No 2B (50B), pp.923-943.
Search via ReFindit
Volungevičienė, A., Teresevičienė, M. (2008). Nuotolinio mokymo(si) turinio projektavimo kokybės vertinimo dimensijos (Dimensions of quality assessment of distance learning content design). Aukštojo mokslo kokybė, 5, 32-53.
Search via ReFindit
Wells, A. (2014). International Student Mobility: Approaches, Challenges And Suggestions For Further Research. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 143, 19-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.350
Search via ReFindit
Wit, H., Altbach, Ph. G. (2021). Internationalization in higher education: global trends and recommendations for its future. Policy Reviews in Higher Education, 5(1), 28-46. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322969.2020.1820898
Search via ReFindit
Wulz, J., Rainer., F. (2015). Challenges of Student Mobility in a Cosmopolitan Europe In A. Curaj et al. (eds.), The European Higher Education Area. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20877-0_4
Search via ReFindit
Yat, W., Lo, W., Chan, Sh. J. (2020). Globalism, regionalism and nationalism: the dynamics of student mobility in higher education across the Taiwan Strait. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 41(4), 587-603. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2018.1516198
Search via ReFindit
Želvys, R. (2006). Internacionalizacijos iššūkiai Lietuvos aukštajam mokslui (Challenges of internationalization for Lithuanian higher education). Vilnius: VPU. https://doi.org/10.15388/ActPaed.2006.17.9693
Search via ReFindit